U.S. patent application number 10/720356 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network.
Invention is credited to Jones, David A., Kufeldt, Edward J., Potorny, Martin C., Sliva, Vladimir P..
Application Number | 20050111630 10/720356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591525 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050111630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Potorny, Martin C. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
911 Emergency voice/data telecommunication network
Abstract
Various embodiments of a 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network are provided. In one embodiment, the
telecommunication network includes: a caller device originating a
911 emergency call having a voice portion, and a data portion, a
local service interface, a public voice network, a public data
network, and an ESN, wherein the ESN determines the appropriate
emergency service organization to receive the 911 emergency call
and dispatches the voice portion and data portion thereto. In
another embodiment, the telecommunication network includes: a BS,
MSC, MPC, and PDE. In another embodiment, the 911 emergency call
includes a 911 origination service option. In another aspect of the
invention, a method for communicating a mobile-originated 911
emergency call to an appropriate PSAP is provided. In still another
aspect of the invention, a caller device for originating the 911
emergency call is provided. The caller device includes: a
microphone, a camera, and a 911 button.
Inventors: |
Potorny, Martin C.;
(Batavia, IL) ; Sliva, Vladimir P.; (Naperville,
IL) ; Jones, David A.; (Orland Hills, IL) ;
Kufeldt, Edward J.; (Bull Shoals, AR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard J. Minnich, Esq.
Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee, LLP
Seventh Floor
1100 Superior Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
34591525 |
Appl. No.: |
10/720356 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/45 ;
379/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 2213/1337 20130101;
H04Q 2213/13091 20130101; H04Q 2213/13248 20130101; H04Q 3/0045
20130101; H04Q 2213/13372 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/045 ;
379/049 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/04 |
Claims
1. A 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network, including:
a caller device originating a 911 emergency call having a voice
portion and a data portion, wherein the caller device captures
sound and image information from the vicinity of the caller device
and communicates the captured sound and image information in the
911 emergency call, at least part of the captured sound and image
information being communicated in the data portion of the 911
emergency call; a local service interface in communication with the
caller device and adapted to receive the 911 emergency call and
separately route the voice portion and the data portion through the
911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network to an
appropriate emergency service organization; a public voice network
in communication with the local service interface and adapted to
receive the voice portion of the 911 emergency call from the local
service interface; a public data network in communication with the
local service interface and adapted to receive the data portion of
the 911 emergency call from the local service interface; and an
emergency services network in communication with the public voice
network and the public data network and adapted to receive the
voice portion of the 911 emergency call from the public voice
network and the data portion of the 911 emergency call from the
public data network, wherein the emergency services network
determines the appropriate emergency service organization to
receive the 911 emergency call, communicates the appropriate
emergency service organization for receiving the 911 emergency call
to the local service interface via at least one of the public voice
network and public data network, and dispatches the voice portion
and data portion of the 911 emergency call to the appropriate
emergency service organization.
2. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1, the caller device including: a microphone to
capture the sound information from the vicinity of the caller
device.
3. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 2 wherein the captured sound information is
communicated in the data portion of the 911 emergency call.
4. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1, the caller device including: a camera to capture
the image information from the vicinity of the caller device.
5. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 4 wherein the captured image information includes at
least one of a still frame image, a sequence of still frame images,
or motion video.
6. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 5 wherein the captured image information is
communicated in the data portion of the 911 emergency call.
7. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1, the caller device including: a 911 button wherein
the 911 emergency call is originated after activation of the 911
button.
8. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 7, the caller device further including: a safety
mechanism in operative communication with the 911 button wherein
the 911 emergency call is originated after operation of the safety
mechanism in a predetermined relation to activation of the 911
button.
9. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1 wherein the 911 emergency call is originated by
subscriber MS configuration.
10. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1 wherein origination of the 911 emergency call
includes communication of an origination request message specifying
a 911 emergency call service option from the caller device to the
local service interface.
11. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 10 wherein the local service interface responds to
the 911 emergency call service option by allocating resources to
the 911 emergency call with priority over non-emergency calls.
12. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1 wherein the caller device adds a timestamp to the
captured sound and image information communicated in the 911
emergency call.
13. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in Claim 1 wherein the local service interface includes at
least one of a local landline telephone service, a cellular
telephone service, a satellite telephone service, a satellite
service, a cable service, and an Internet service.
14. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 1, the emergency services network including: a 911
voice/data network adapted to receive the voice portion and data
portion of the 911 emergency call; and an automatic location
identification database in communication with the 911 voice/data
network storing location information relating caller devices to the
appropriate emergency service organization; wherein the 911
voice/data network determines the appropriate emergency service
organization for the 911 emergency call by retrieving location
information from the automatic location identification database
associated with the caller device, wherein the appropriate
emergency service organization is responsible for providing
emergency service to the caller device based on the location of the
caller device.
15. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 14, the appropriate emergency service organization
including: a public safety answering point responsible for
providing emergency service to the caller device based on the
location of the caller device and including a 911 operator station
adapted to receive at least one of the voice portion and data
portion of the 911 emergency call; and at least one of a law
enforcement station, a fire department station, an emergency
medical service station, a law enforcement mobile unit, a fire
department mobile unit, an emergency medical service mobile unit, a
military emergency response organization, and a military mobile
unit wherein each station and each mobile unit is adapted to
receive the voice portion and data portion of the 911 emergency
call; wherein the 911 operator station dispatches the voice portion
and data portion of the 911 emergency call to at least one of the
law enforcement station, fire department station, emergency medical
service station, law enforcement mobile unit, fire department
mobile unit, emergency medical service mobile unit, military
emergency response organization, or military mobile unit based on
interpretation of an emergency situation associated with the 911
emergency call.
16. A 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network,
including: a base station adapted to receive a 911 emergency call
originated by a mobile station, the 911 emergency call having a
voice portion and a data portion, wherein the mobile station
captures sound and image information from the vicinity of the
caller device and communicates the captured sound and image
information in the 911 emergency call, at least part of the
captured sound and image information being communicated in the data
portion of the 911 emergency call; a mobile switching center in
communication with the base station and adapted to receive the 911
emergency call and separately route the voice portion and the data
portion through the 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication
network to an appropriate emergency service organization; a mobile
positioning center in communication with the mobile switching
center and adapted to receive a 911 emergency call origination
request associated with the 911 emergency call from the mobile
switching center, determine an appropriate public safety access
point in an emergency services network for receiving the 911
emergency call, and communicate the appropriate public safety
access point for receiving the 911 emergency call to the mobile
switching center; and a position determining entity in
communication with the mobile positioning center and the mobile
switching center adapted to receive a geographic position request
from the mobile positioning center associated with the 911
emergency call and, in response to the geographic position request,
initiating a position determining process to determine a location
of the mobile station that originated the 911 emergency call.
17. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 16 wherein origination of the 911 emergency call
from the mobile station includes communication of an origination
request message to the mobile switching center through the base
station, the origination request message specifying a 911 emergency
call service option.
18. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 17 wherein at least one of the base station, mobile
switching center, mobile positioning center, and positioning
determining entity respond to the 911 emergency call service option
by allocating resources to the 911 emergency call with priority
over non-emergency calls.
19. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 16 wherein the mobile station adds a timestamp to
the captured sound and image information communicated in the 911
emergency call.
20. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 16 wherein the mobile switching center adds a
timestamp to the captured sound and image information communicated
in the 911 emergency call.
21. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 16, the mobile switching center including: a base
station communication interface in communication with the base
station and adapted to receive the voice portion and data portion
of the 911 emergency call; a voice channel in communication with
the base station communication interface and adapted to receive the
voice portion of the 911 emergency call; a data channel in
communication with the base station communication interface and
adapted to receive the data portion of the 911 emergency call; a
network communication interface in communication with the voice
channel and the data channel and adapted to receive the voice
portion of the 911 emergency call from the voice channel and the
data portion of the 911 emergency call from the data channel; and a
911 voice/data origination control process in communication with
the base station communication interface, voice channel, data
channel, and network communication interface to control routing of
the 911 emergency call to the appropriate emergency service
organization.
22. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 21 wherein the data channel is compatible with
PPP/IP communication protocol.
23. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 16 wherein the mobile switching center separately
routes the voice portion and data portion of the 911 emergency call
to the appropriate public safety access point based at least in
part on the location of the mobile station that originated the 911
emergency call.
24. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 23 wherein the appropriate public safety access
point is responsible for providing emergency service to the mobile
station based on the location of the mobile station.
25. The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network as set
forth in claim 23 wherein the appropriate public safety answering
point includes a 911 operator station adapted to receive the voice
portion and data portion of the 911 emergency call and the
emergency service network further includes at least one of a law
enforcement station, a fire department station, an emergency
medical service station, a law enforcement mobile unit, a fire
department mobile unit, and an emergency medical service mobile
unit wherein each station and each mobile unit is adapted to
receive the voice portion and data portion of the 911 emergency
call, wherein the 911 operator station dispatches the voice portion
and data portion of the 911 emergency call to at least one of a law
enforcement station, a fire department station, an emergency
medical service station, a law enforcement mobile unit, a fire
department mobile unit, or an emergency medical service mobile unit
based on interpretation of emergency situation associated with the
911 emergency call.
26. A method for communicating a mobile-originated 911 emergency
call to an appropriate public safety answering point, the method
including the steps: a) receiving a first origination request
message for the 911 emergency call from a mobile station at a
mobile switching center via a base station serving the mobile
station, the 911 emergency call including sound and image
information from the vicinity of the mobile station; b)
communicating a second origination request message for the 911
emergency call from the mobile switching center to a mobile
positioning center; c) communicating a geographic position request
message from the mobile positioning center to a position
determining entity; d) determining a location of the mobile station
that originated the 911 emergency call at the positioning
determining entity; e) communicating the location of the mobile
station that originated the 911 emergency call from the positioning
determining entity to the mobile positioning center in a geographic
position return result message; f) determining the appropriate
public safety answering point for receiving the 911 emergency call
at the mobile positioning center from the location of the mobile
station that originated the 911 emergency call; g) communicating
routing information for the appropriate public safety answering
point from the mobile positioning center to the mobile switching
center in a return result message in response to the second
origination request message; and h) separately routing a voice
portion and a data portion of the 911 emergency call to the
appropriate public safety answering point.
27. The method set forth in claim 26 wherein the sound information
is communicated in the data portion of the 911 emergency call.
28. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the image
information includes at least one of a still frame image, a
sequence of still frame images, or motion video.
29. The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the image
information is communicated in the data portion of the 911
emergency call.
30. The method as set forth in claim 26, wherein the first
origination request message includes a 911 emergency call service
option.
31. The method as set forth in claim 30 wherein the base station
and mobile switching center respond to the 911 emergency call
service option by allocating resources to the 911 emergency call
with priority over non-emergency calls.
32. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the mobile station
or other equipment in the communication system adds a timestamp to
the sound and image information communicated in the 911 emergency
call.
33. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the mobile
switching center adds a timestamp to the sound and image
information communicated in the 911 emergency call.
34. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the first
determining step (step d)) includes exchange of a series of
messages between the positioning determining entity and the mobile
station that originated the 911 emergency call.
35. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the second
determining step (step f)) includes retrieving the routing
information for the appropriate public safety access point from a
database associated with the mobile positioning center based on the
location of the mobile station that originated the 911 emergency
call.
36. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the routing
information communicated in step g) includes the routing
information for the voice portion of the 911 emergency call and a
static IP address for the data portion of the 911 emergency
call.
37. The method as set forth in claim 36 wherein the voice portion
of the 911 emergency call is routed to the PSAP and the data
portion of the 911 emergency call is routed to the static IP
address in step h).
38. A caller device for originating a 911 emergency call having a
voice portion and a data portion, including: a microphone to
capture sound information from the vicinity of the caller device; a
camera to capture the image information from the vicinity of the
caller device; and a 911 button wherein the 911 emergency call is
originated after activation of the 911 button; wherein the caller
device communicates the captured sound and image information in the
911 emergency call, at least part of the captured sound and image
information being communicated in the data portion of the 911
emergency call;
39. The caller device as set forth in claim 38 wherein the captured
sound information is communicated in the data portion of the 911
emergency call.
40. The caller device as set forth in claim 38 wherein the captured
image information includes at least one of a still frame image, a
sequence of still frame images, or motion video.
41. The caller device as set forth in claim 40 wherein the captured
image information is communicated in the data portion of the 911
emergency call.
42. The caller device as set forth in claim 38, the caller device
further including: a safety mechanism in operative communication
with the 911 button wherein the 911 emergency call is originated
after operation of the safety mechanism in a predetermined relation
to activation of the 911 button.
43. The caller device as set forth in claim 38 wherein the
controller adds a timestamp to the captured sound and image
information communicated in the 911 emergency call.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to a 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network and, more particularly, to
providing voice and data from a 911 emergency caller through the
network to an appropriate emergency service mobile unit via a 911
dispatch function and will be described with particular reference
thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is
also amenable to other applications.
[0002] The continuing evolution of user devices for voice and data
communications has made it possible for audio and video (e.g.,
individual still frame photographs, sequences of still frame
photographs, and motion video) to be captured and communicated to
remote locations via compatible telecommunication infrastructures.
These various types of user devices may interface, for example,
with one or more public telecommunication infrastructure. For
example, a cellular telephone infrastructure, a public switched
telephone network (PSTN), a cable television infrastructure, a
satellite communication infrastructure (e.g., satellite television,
satellite telephone, etc.), and various types of computer networks,
including the Internet.
[0003] These various infrastructures typically have a gateway to
directly route 911 emergency communications to a 911 network or an
indirect means of routing 911 emergency communications through the
gateway of another infrastructure. However, the user devices,
public telecommunications infrastructures, and 911 network have not
been adapted to provide end-to-end audio and video from a 911
emergency caller to an appropriate emergency service mobile unit
(e.g., police car radio, police officer radio, fire truck radio,
fireman radio, ambulance radio, emergency medical personal radio,
etc.).
[0004] As can be appreciated from the foregoing, there is
motivation for adapting these user devices, public
telecommunications infrastructures, and the 911 network to
facilitate end-to-end audio and video communication from a 911
emergency caller to an appropriate emergency service mobile
device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network is provided. The 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network includes: a caller device originating a
911 emergency call having a voice portion and a data portion,
wherein the caller device captures sound and image information from
the vicinity of the caller device and communicates the captured
sound and image information in the 911 emergency call, at least
part of the captured sound and image information being communicated
in the data portion of the 911 emergency call, a local service
interface in communication with the caller device and adapted to
receive the 911 emergency call and separately route the voice
portion and the data portion through the 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network to an appropriate emergency service
organization, a public voice network in communication with the
local service interface and adapted to receive the voice portion of
the 911 emergency call from the local service interface, a public
data network in communication with the local service interface and
adapted to receive the data portion of the 911 emergency call from
the local service interface, and an emergency services network in
communication with the public voice network and the public data
network and adapted to receive the voice portion of the 911
emergency call from the public voice network and the data portion
of the 911 emergency call from the public data network, wherein the
emergency services network determines the appropriate emergency
service organization to receive the 911 emergency call,
communicates the appropriate emergency service organization for
receiving the 911 emergency call to the local service interface via
the public voice or other network interface, and dispatches the
voice portion and data portion of the 911 emergency call to the
appropriate emergency service organization.
[0006] In another embodiment, the 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network includes: a base station adapted to
receive a 911 emergency call originated by a mobile station, the
911 emergency call having a voice portion and a data portion,
wherein the mobile station captures sound and image information
from the vicinity of the caller device and communicates the
captured sound and image information in the 911 emergency call, at
least part of the captured sound and image information being
communicated in the data portion of the 911 emergency call, a
mobile switching center in communication with the base station and
adapted to receive the 911 emergency call and separately route the
voice portion and the data portion through the 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network to an appropriate emergency
service organization, a mobile positioning center in communication
with the mobile switching center and adapted to receive a 911
emergency call origination request associated with the 911
emergency call from the mobile switching center, determine an
appropriate public safety access point in an emergency services
network for receiving the 911 emergency call, and communicate the
appropriate public safety access point for receiving the 911
emergency call to the mobile switching center, and a positioning
determining entity in communication with the mobile positioning
center and the mobile switching center adapted to receive a
geographic position request from the mobile positioning center
associated with the 911 emergency call and, in response to the
geographic position request, initiating a position determining
process to determine a location of the mobile station that
originated the 911 emergency call.
[0007] In another aspect of the invention, a method for
communicating a mobile-originated 911 emergency call to an
appropriate public safety answering point is provided. The method
includes: a) receiving a first origination request message for the
911 emergency call from a mobile station at a mobile switching
center via a base station serving the mobile station, the 911
emergency call including sound and image information from the
vicinity of the mobile station, b) communicating a second
origination request message for the 911 emergency call from the
mobile switching center to a mobile positioning center, c)
communicating a geographic position request message from the mobile
positioning center to a position determining entity, d) determining
a location of the mobile station that originated the 911 emergency
call at the positioning determining entity, e) communicating the
location of the mobile station that originated the 911 emergency
call from the positioning determining entity to the mobile
positioning center in a geographic position return result message,
f) determining the appropriate public safety answering point for
receiving the 911 emergency call at the mobile positioning center
from the location of the mobile station that originated the 911
emergency call, g) communicating routing information for the
appropriate public safety answering point from the mobile
positioning center to the mobile switching center in a return
result message in response to the second origination request
message, and h) separately routing a voice portion and a data
portion of the 911 emergency call to the appropriate public safety
answering point.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a caller device for
originating a 911 emergency call having a voice portion and a data
portion is provided. The caller device includes: a microphone to
capture sound information from the vicinity of the caller device, a
camera to capture the image information from the vicinity of the
caller device, and a 911 button wherein the 911 emergency call is
originated after activation of the 911 button or in some subscriber
activation sequence or subscriber configurable sequence, wherein
the caller device communicates the captured sound and image
information in the 911 emergency call, at least part of the
captured sound and image information being communicated in the data
portion of the 911 emergency call;
[0009] Benefits and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and
understanding the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention is described in more detail in conjunction
with a set of accompanying drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network providing end-to-end audio and
video communication from a 911 emergency caller to an appropriate
emergency service mobile device, wherein the caller is using a
wireless or landline device.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another exemplary 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network providing end-to-end audio and
video communication from a 911 emergency caller to an appropriate
emergency service mobile device, wherein the caller is using a
mobile station (MS).
[0013] FIG. 3 is a call flow diagram for a mobile-originated 911
emergency call having audio and video components.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary device used by the
911 emergency caller in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile switching
center (MSC) in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] While the invention is described in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, the drawings are for purposes of
illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not to
be construed as limiting the invention to such embodiments. It is
understood that the invention may take form in various components
and arrangement of components and in various steps and arrangement
of steps beyond those provided in the drawings and associated
description. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like
elements.
[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network 10 includes a wireless 911
caller device 12, a landline 911 caller device 14, a local service
interface 16, a public voice network 18, a public data network 20,
an inter-working function (IWF) cluster 22, a firewall/router 24, a
packet data network 26, an automatic location identification (ALI)
database 27, a 911 voice/data network 28, a public safety answering
point (PSAP) 30, a law enforcement base station 32, a fire
department base station 34, an emergency medical service (EMS) base
station 36, a law enforcement mobile unit 38, a fire department
mobile unit 40, and an EMS mobile unit 42. Any one of the wireless
911 caller device 12 and landline 911 caller device 14 is optional.
Any two of the law enforcement base station 32, fire department
base station 34, and EMS base station 36 are optional. Likewise,
the law enforcement mobile unit 38, fire department mobile unit 40,
and EMS mobile unit 42 are optional. Moreover, other emergency
response organizations, including military and non-military
organizations may be dispatched by the PSAP 30.
[0018] The IWF cluster 22 includes a packet control function (PCF)
44, a packet data serving node (PDSN) 46, and a LAN switch 48. The
PSAP 30 includes a 911 operator 50, a morphing process 52, a
criminal database 54, a map process 56, and a map database 58. The
combination of the morphing process 52 and criminal database 54
implements technology known in the art and is optional. Likewise,
the combination of the map process 56, and map database 58
implements technology known in the art and is optional.
[0019] A caller may use the wireless 911 caller device 12 or the
landline 911 caller device 14 to place a 911 emergency call to a
local emergency response organization (e.g., law enforcement, fire
department, EMS, military organization, etc.). The 911 emergency
call may be placed from the wireless 911 caller device 12 or the
landline 911 caller device 14 by pressing "911" on the keypad, as
in current telephone handsets. In some handsets, a "send" button or
similar control is operated after pressing "911" to actually place
the call. In another embodiment, the wireless 911 caller device 12
and/or landline 911 caller device 14 may also be equipped with a
"hot" 911 button and, preferably, a safety mechanism. If the 911
button is implemented without the safety mechanism, operating the
911 button places the 911 emergency call. If both the 911 button
and safety mechanism are implemented, they are operated in a
predetermined sequence to place the 911 emergency call. The safety
mechanism may be a mechanical interlock, an electrical interlock, a
software interlock, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment,
the safety mechanism may be a "send" button or similar control.
[0020] The wireless 911 caller device 12 and landline 911 caller
device 14 is also equipped with audio components to capture sounds
from the vicinity of the respective device and communication
components to communicate the captured sounds to the network 10 in
data packets. The audio components include a microphone to capture
sounds from the vicinity of the device. A separate microphone from
the standard microphone for normal voice communication is
preferred. However, the standard microphone may be implemented in a
speaker mode to capture sounds from the vicinity. The audio capture
feature provides information associated with the emergency that is
potentially useful to the emergency response organization and may
provide evidence from a crime scene that is potentially useful in
arresting, indicting, and prosecuting suspects. The vital
significance of time stamping such data is inherently
recognized.
[0021] Mobile unit activation is envisioned to be possible by
subscribers with a few different embodiments. For example, ordinary
911 dialing and using a fast activation mechanism or a fast
activation mechanism with an activation safety mechanism that
prevents inadvertent or inappropriate activation. Also, via
subscriber determinable mobile unit configuration in association
with the aforementioned exemplary embodiments.
[0022] The wireless 911 caller device 12 and landline 911 caller
device 14 may also be equipped with imaging components to capture
images from the vicinity of the respective device and communication
components to communicate the captured images to the network 10 in
data packets. The imaging components include a camera to capture
still frame images (i.e., photographs), a sequence of still frame
images, and/or motion video of the vicinity of the device. The
camera may be a peripheral device in communication with the caller
device or integrated within the caller device. The image capture
feature also provides information associated with the emergency
that is potentially useful to the emergency response organization
and may also provide evidence from a crime scene that is
potentially useful in arresting, indicting, and prosecuting
suspects. The vital significance of time stamping such data is
inherently recognized.
[0023] The wireless 911 caller device 12 may be, for example, any
type of wireless caller device, including, for example, a cordless
telephone, mobile station (MS), personal communication system
(PCS), personal digital assistant (PDA), any type of wireless
computing device, or any type of wireless peripheral computing
device. The wireless caller device may implement any suitable
wireless communication protocol including, for example, IEEE
802.11b (e.g., wireless fidelity (WiFi)), 802.16a (e.g., WiFi Max,
Wider Fi), Bluetooth, CDMA, TDMA, GSM, etc. The landline 911 caller
device 14 may be, for example, any type of landline telephone, any
type of wired computing device, or any type of wired peripheral
computing device. The wireless 911 caller device 12 and landline
911 caller device 14 are in operative communication with the local
service interface 16 and use control signals, voice signals, and
data signals to originate the 911 emergency with the local service
interface 16. The control signals may include, for example, signals
to specify high priority for the 911 emergency call from its
origination and to identify whether the caller device has
implemented audio capture or audio and video capture. The captured
audio may be provided via the voice signals (i.e., voice channel)
or the data signals (i.e., data channel). In one embodiment, the
wireless 911 caller device 12 and landline 911 caller device 14 add
a timestamp to the sound and image information in the 911 emergency
call representing the date and time at which the respective sound
and/or image is captured. Time stamping the sound and image
information is particularly when it is used, for example, as
evidence in support of arresting, indicting, and prosecuting
suspects.
[0024] The local service interface 16 is in communication with the
public voice network 18 and initially sets up a voice channel for
the 911 emergency call to the 911 voice/data network 28 through the
public voice network 18. The local service interface 16 may include
any combination of one or more of various types of local
communication services, including, for example, local landline
telephone service, cellular telephone service, satellite telephone
service, satellite (television) service, and cable (television
(TV)) service. The public voice network 18 may implement any
combination of one or more of various types of packet switching
networks associated with telephone, radio, and infra-red
communication technologies. The 911 voice/data network 28 is an
interface between the various public networks and a private
emergency services network (ESN) which is typically administered by
a local government organization. When the 911 voice/data network 28
receives a 911 emergency call it knows the calling party and
retrieves position and location information associated with the
calling party from the ALI database 27. Using the position and
location information, the 911 voice/data network 28 extends the
voice channel for the 911 emergency call to the PSAP 30 responsible
for that geographic area.
[0025] Either the PSAP 30 or the 911 voice/data network 28
communicates a static IP address associated with the PSAP 30 to the
local service interface 16 for transmission of captured data from
the caller device. The local service interface 16 returns the IP
address to the caller device in response to the 911 emergency call
origination. The local service interface 16 also sets up a data
channel for the 911 emergency call to the 911 voice/data network 28
through the public data network 20, IWF cluster 22, firewall/router
24, and packet data network 26. The public data network 20, IWF
cluster 22, firewall/router 24, and packet data network 26 may
implement any combination of one or more of various types of packet
switching networks associated with telephone, radio, and computer
networking technologies.
[0026] With both the voice and data channels set up, the wireless
911 caller device 12 or landline 911 caller device 14 transmits
voice signals over the voice channel and data signals over the data
channel to the 911 operator 50 associated with the PSAP 30. The 911
operator 50 may communicate with the 911 emergency caller via the
voice channel in the same manner as current 911 calls.
Additionally, the 911 operator 50 receives captured audio via the
voice or data channel and one or more captured images via the data
channel. These separate voice and data channels may be merged. The
captured information received via the data channel is received at
the IP address associated with the PSAP 30. The 911 operator 50
determines to which emergency service organization the 911
emergency call should be routed and dispatches the call, including
captured audio and images, to the appropriate law enforcement
station 32, fire department station 34, and/or EMS station 36.
Moreover, other emergency response organizations, including
military and non-military organizations may be dispatched by the
PSAP 30. Each emergency response organization may dispatch the 911
emergency call, including captured audio and images, to one or more
associated mobile units 38, 40, 42. The mobile units may be
vehicular or human-portable. In one embodiment, the 911 operator 50
may also dispatch the 911 emergency call directly to mobile units
associated with one or more of the emergency response
organizations. Geo-location technologies can coordinate subscriber
911 activation, with certain 911 services, such as deployed police
forces.
[0027] The PSAP 30 may use the morphing process 52 and criminal
database 54 to match suspects in a given captured image to images
of criminals in the criminal database. Information about matches
between criminals and suspects may be retrieved from the database
and added to the dispatched 911 emergency call by the PSAP either
in real-time or as a post-processed function. Moreover, the PSAP 30
may use the position and location information associated with the
caller device in conjunction with the map process 56 and map
database 58 to construct a map identifying the location of the
caller device along with potentially the location of the dispatched
mobile units 38, 40, 42 as determined to be in the proximate
geographic vicinity. The map may also be added to the dispatched
911 emergency call by the PSAP 30.
[0028] User interfaces associated with the 911 operator 50,
dispatched emergency service stations 32, 34, 36, and dispatched
mobile units 38, 40, 42 may communicate the captured audio, one or
more captured images, information from the criminal database
matching criminals to suspects in a captured image, and the map
showing the location of the caller device to various corresponding
911 services.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 2, another exemplary 911 emergency
voice/data telecommunication network 60 includes a mobile station
(MS) 62, a base station (BS) 64, a mobile switching center (MSC)
66, a position determining entity (PDE) 68, a mobile positioning
center (MPC) 70, the IWF cluster 22, firewall/router 24, packet
data network 26, 911 voice/data network 28, PSAP 30, law
enforcement base station 32, fire department base station 34, EMS
base station 36, law enforcement mobile unit 38, fire department
mobile unit 40, and EMS mobile unit 42. Like for the network of
FIG. 1, any two of the law enforcement base station 32, fire
department base station 34, and EMS base station 36 are optional
and the law enforcement mobile unit 38, fire department mobile unit
40, and EMS mobile unit 42 are optional. Likewise, other emergency
response organizations, including military and non-military
organizations may be dispatched by the PSAP 30. The IWF cluster 22
includes the same components and operates as described above in
reference to FIG. 1.
[0030] A caller may use the MS 62 to place a 911 emergency call to
a local emergency response organization (e.g., law enforcement,
fire department, EMS, military organization). The MS 62 may be any
type of cellular telephone-type device, for example, a cellular
telephone or PDA-like devices. The MS 62 includes the various
features and operates in the same manner as described above for the
wireless 911 caller device 12 (FIG. 1). The MS may implement any
suitable wireless communication protocol including, for example,
IEEE 802.11b (e.g., wireless fidelity (WiFi)), 802.16a (e.g., WiFi
Max, Wider Fi), Bluetooth, etc., in addition to CDMA, TDMA, and/or
GSM for cellular telephone communications. Communications
interfaces like WiFi and Bluetooth provide the MS with a
communication means to the various communications networks shown in
FIG. 1, rather than the wireless network depicted in FIG. 2. The MS
62 is within operative range and in operative communication with
the BS 64. The MS 62 uses control signals, for example, a 911
emergency voice/data service option, to specify high priority for
the 911 emergency call from its origination at the BS 64. While
only one BS 64 is shown, the network includes a plurality of BSs as
is known in cellular telephone technology to provide expanded
geographic coverage. Each BS defines a geographic service coverage
area. Each MS within a given cell is in operative communication
with the corresponding BS. In one embodiment, the mobile station 62
adds a timestamp to the sound and image information in the 911
emergency call representing the date and time at which the
respective sound and/or image is captured.
[0031] The BS 64 is in communication with the MSC 66 and forwards
the control signals for call setup to the ECPC 72 and the voice and
data signals to the DCS 74. The MSC 66 recognizes from the call
origination control signals that a 911 emergency call was placed
and communicates the call origination to the MPC 70. The MPC 70
communicates with the PDE 68 to initiate a position determining
process to determine a location for the MS 62 within the cell
associated with the serving MSC 66 and serving BS 64. The PDE 68
communicates back and forth with the MS 62 in order to determine
the location of the MS 62. In one embodiment, the MS 62 is equipped
with a GPS receiver and in communication with sufficient GPS
satellites to provide its location directly to the PDE 68 based on
GPS data. In another embodiment, the PDE 68 determines the location
of the MS 62 by comparing triangulated signal strength between
multiple BSs and the MS 62. In still another embodiment, other
algorithms in the PDE 68 combine GPS data and BS signal strength
data to determine the location of the MS 62. Once geo-positioning
is determined, by whatever means, the PDE 68 or possibly MS-based
mechanisms communicate the location of the MS 62 to the MPC 70. The
MPC 70 determines which PSAP 30 handles 911 emergency calls for the
geographic area in which the MS 62 is located. The MPC 70
identifies the serving PSAP 30 to the ECPC 72 and the DCS 74
initially sets up a voice channel for the 911 emergency call to the
PSAP 30 through the 911 voice/data network 28.
[0032] Either the serving PSAP 30 or the 911 voice/data network 28
communicates a static IP address associated with the serving PSAP
30 to the MPC 70 for transmission of captured data from the caller
device. The MPC 70, in turn, returns the IP address to the caller
device through the ECPC 72 in response to the 911 emergency call
origination. The DCS 74 also sets up a data channel for the 911
emergency call to the 911 voice/data network 28 through the IWF
cluster 22, firewall/router 24, and packet data network 26.
[0033] With both the voice and data channels set up, the MS 62
transmits voice signals over the voice channel and data signals
over the data channel to the 911 operator 50 associated with the
PSAP 30. The voice and data channels are again intelligently merged
for dispatch functions. The 911 operator 50, law enforcement
station 32, fire department station 34, EMS station 36, law
enforcement mobile unit 38, fire department mobile unit 40, and EMS
mobile unit 42 operate in the same manner as described above in
reference to FIG. 1. Likewise, the PSAP 30 includes the same
features and operates in the same manner as described above in
reference to FIG. 1 and other emergency response organizations,
including military and non-military organizations may be dispatched
by the PSAP 30.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 3, a mobile-originated 911 emergency
call scenario 80 through the 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network 60 (FIG. 2) is depicted in a call flow
diagram. This scenario reflects how a typical wireless network
processes the 911 emergency call through the appropriate PSAP 30 to
an appropriate emergency service mobile unit 38, 40, 42. Other
types of 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication networks, such
as the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, may process 911 emergency calls
in a similar manner. The MS 62, BS 64, MSC 66, MPC 70, PDE 68, DCS
74, IWF 22, PSAP 30, and emergency service mobile unit 38, 40, 42
described above with reference to FIG. 2 are depicted across the
top of the call flow diagram to identify their involvement at
certain stages of the processing.
[0035] At line a, the originating MS 62 initiates a 911 emergency
call by submitting an origination (ORIG) request message for a 911
emergency voice/data call to the MSC 66 through the BS 64. The ORIG
request message includes a 911 emergency voice/data service option
(i.e., 911 V/D) that is recognized by the BS 64 and MSC 66 and
ensures the call is handled in higher priority than other types of
calls at both the BS 64 and MSC 66. The MSC 66 sends an origination
(ORREQ) request message with MOBILEINFO and mobile positioning
capabilities (MPCAP) parameters to the MPC 70 (line b). The ORREQ
request message provides the MPC 70 with general MS 62 location
information by identifying the serving MSC 66 and serving BS 64.
Next, at line c, the MPC 70 sends a geographic position (GPOSREQ)
request message to the PDE 68 to initiate a position determining
process to determine a more precise location for the MS 62. The
GPOSREQ return result message may include MOBINFO, POSREQTYPE, and
MPCAP parameters. The PDE 68 and MS 62 exchange a series of
messages through the MSC 66 as part of the position determining
process (line d). Various parameters, such as assisted global
positioning system (AGPS), advanced forward link trilateration
(AFLT), and enhanced forward link trilateration (EFLT), are
exchanged between the PDE 68 and MS 62 during the position
determining process.
[0036] At line e, once the location of the MS 62 is determined, the
PDE 68 sends a gposreq return result message with the MS position
represented in a POSINFO parameter to the MPC 70. Based on the more
precise location, the MPC 70 can now determine where to route this
particular 911 emergency call. The MPC 70 uses a database
reflecting geographic coverage areas of PSAPs and matches the
location of the MS 62 to an appropriate PSAP 30. The MPC 70 sends
an orreq return result message to the MSC 66 with the Dialed Digits
associated with the appropriate PSAP 30 (line f). This tells the
MSC 66 where to route the 911 emergency call. At line g, the MSC 66
sets up a voice channel for the 911 emergency call to the
appropriate PSAP 30 through the DCS 74. The PSAP 30 determines
where to dispatch the 911 emergency call and routes the voice
portion of the call to an appropriate emergency service mobile unit
38, 40, 42 via a 911 dispatch function (line h).
[0037] At line i, the originating MS 62 submits an ORIG request
message for a data portion of the 911 emergency voice/data call to
the appropriate PSAP 30 through the BS 64 and MSC 66. The ORIG
request message includes a 911 emergency voice/data service option
(i.e., 911 D) that is recognized by the BS 64 and MSC 66 and
ensures the data portion of the call is handled in higher priority
than other types of data traffic at both the BS 64 and MSC 66.
Voice and data portions are intelligently merged. The PSAP 30 sends
an orreq return result message to the MS 62 with a static IP
address for transmission of the data portion of the 911 emergency
call (line j). At line k, the MSC 66 sets up a data channel for the
911 emergency call to the appropriate PSAP 30 through the DCS 74
and IWF 22. The MS 62 then begins transmitting captured sounds and
images from the vicinity of the MS in packet data form to the PSAP
30 using PPP/IP protocol (line 1). At line m, the PSAP 30 routes
the data portion of the call to the dispatched emergency service
mobile unit 38, 40, 42.
[0038] Alternatives to the above could include the case where
knowing which primary cell the mobile is communicating with would
be good enough to determine the appropriate PSAP. Then the steps b)
through f) above that determine the exact caller's location could
be done in parallel with the rest of the call setup or afterwards.
Also, the process is not necessarily limited to having the second
origination for the data portion of the call, since conceptually,
the MSC could handle the data setup transparently to the mobile and
just let the mobile know when it can start to send the data.
[0039] With reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary device used by a 911
emergency caller (e.g., wireless 911 caller device 12 (FIG. 1),
landline 911 caller device 14 (FIG. 1), MS 62 (FIG. 2)) includes a
911 button 82, a safety mechanism 84, a keypad 86, a send button
88, a controller 90, a microphone 92, an audio control 94, a camera
96, a video control 98, and a communication interface 100. The
combination of the 911 button 82 and safety mechanism 84 are
optional. Likewise, the combination of the camera 96 and video
control 98 are optional. The device 12, 14, 62 generally operates
in the same manner as described above for wireless 911 caller
device 12 (FIG. 1), landline 911 caller device 14 (FIG. 1), and MS
62 (FIG. 2).
[0040] The 911 button 82 is in communication with the controller 90
through the safety mechanism 84. When the 911 button 82 is pressed
and the safety mechanism 84 is operated in appropriate sequence the
controller 90 initiates a 911 emergency call. The keypad 86 and
send button 88 are also integrated with the controller 90. When
"911" is entered using the keypad 86 and the send button 88 is
operated in appropriate sequence the controller 90 also initiates a
911 emergency call.
[0041] When a 911 emergency call is initiated, the controller 90
controls transmission of the appropriate control signals, including
a 911 service option, to the local service interface 16 (FIG. 1) or
the BS 64 (FIG. 2) via the communication interface 100 to set up
voice and data channels to the ESN. The controller 90 also controls
the microphone 92, audio control 94, camera 96, and video control
98 to initiate capturing sounds and images from the vicinity of the
caller device 12, 14, 62. The captured audio and video data is also
transmitted to the local service interface 16 (FIG. 1) or the BS 64
(FIG. 2) via the communication interface 100 for routing to the ESN
via the data channel. In one embodiment, the controller 90 adds a
timestamp to the sound and image information in the 911 emergency
call representing the date and time at which the respective sound
and/or image is captured.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 5, an exemplary MSC 66 includes a
communication interface (with the BS) 102, a call processing
control process covering 911 voice/data originations 104, a voice
channel 106, a PPP/IP data channel 108, and a communication
interface (network) 110. The MSC 66 generally operates in the same
manner as described above in reference to FIG. 2.
[0043] The communication interface (BS) 102 receives call
originations from a BS 64 (FIG. 2), including 911 emergency calls.
When a call origination with a 911 emergency voice/data service
option is received, the 911 voice/data origination control process
104 receives the call origination from the communication interface
(BS) 102 and controls setup of the call through the wireless
network (or applicable serving telecommunications or Internet
interface network) to the ESN via the communication interface
(network) 110. The 911 voice/data origination control process 104
also controls voice and PPP/IP data channels 106, 108 through the
MSC 66 and switches the voice portion of the 911 emergency call
through an appropriate voice channel 106 and the data portion of
the 911 emergency call through an appropriate PPP/IP data channel
108 to a PSAP 30 (FIG. 2) via the communication interface (network)
110.
[0044] In summary, the caller device (e.g., wireless 911 caller
device 12 (FIG. 1), landline 911 caller device 14 (FIG. 1), MS 62
(FIG. 2)) may use a "hot" button to create and transmit an
assailant's photograph, crime scene voice, and/or other evidence to
law enforcement in a real-time voice and data connection. The
caller device or other components within the associated
communication networks may utilize global positioning system
technology to determine a location of the assault and ensure the
911 emergency caller is connected to an appropriate law enforcement
station or mobile unit.
[0045] The assailant photo/voice may be transmitted from MSs,
including mobile PDA devices using data transmission protocols. The
visual photo data is envisioned to be extendable from photo to
video, or more minimally a series of photos. The 911 emergency
service option for mobile originations ensures that the appropriate
resources are assigned to handle the 911 emergency call with high
priority. The IP addressing acknowledgement may inform the MS of
static (rather than dynamic) IP addressing that may subsequently be
used for the IP data connection to the appropriate PSAP in response
to the 911 emergency call origination.
[0046] The PSAP may compare the assailant photo/voice to an
existing criminal database to identify suspects using morphological
techniques from records in the criminal database. The handset
software and safety mechanism may be operated in conjunction with
activation of the "hot" button to originate a 911 emergency call
and/or subscriber MS configuration. The 911 emergency voice/data
telecommunication network include various network fabric switching
platforms and integrates public communication networks with
emergency service networks, including 911 law enforcement dispatch
platforms.
[0047] Field-deployed interface equipment of law enforcement
personnel may be capable of voice and data communications
associated with 911 emergency calls, including receiving and
displaying captured sounds and images from the vicinity of the
caller device. This includes mobile vehicular equipment and mobile
non-vehicular equipment used by law enforcement. The caller device
may integrate wireless network devices, such as MSs and PDAs with
other types of networks utilizing other technologies (e.g.,
WiFi/Max, Bluetooth, infra-red, etc.) to affect emergency service
network interfaces via, for example, cable, DSL, or through any
such intervening consumer computing and telecommunications
technology, including the landline telephone infrastructure.
[0048] The 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network
provides enhanced wireless subscriber personal security and
improves law enforcement's ability to identify and apprehend
assailants and gather evidence from a crime scene. This may be
accomplished by providing a MS/PDA, etc. with a trigger activation
"hot" button, possibly activated only after release of a mechanism
(hardware or software) which "releases" the "hot" button for 911
dialing and scene/assailant photo/voice call routing. After
activating the "hot" button, the wireless subscriber device begins
transmitting data from the crime scene, potentially including
images of the assailant, and automatically originates a 911
emergency call. The origination message may include a service
option that would guarantee the right resources pertaining to the
telecommunications infrastructure, E911 dispatch, and/or various
law enforcement officer equipment resources (or even consumer
telecommunications and computing technologies) in order to obtain
high priority processing. GPS information may be encapsulated and
routed to determine the location of the MS/PDA. Triangulation
algorithms may be used in place of or to supplement the GPS
information in determining the MS/PDA location.
[0049] The network switching platforms and network architecture
provides routing of the 911 emergency call to law enforcement
dispatch-related platforms. These dispatch platforms inform the
handset device of a statically-assigned IP address and associated
with the nearest law enforcement dispatch control facility in order
to facilitate the hosting of the data portion of the 911 emergency
call/session. The combined and routed call elements result in
receipt of the 911 emergency call by software applications in 911
emergency dispatch hardware platforms with content encapsulated in
a standardized format, which may visually display the victim
location via integration with mapping applications software. The
encapsulated scene/assailant photo/voice data may be used to
compare the photo against existing criminal record databases, and
perform visual morphological matching/identification of suspects
against potential/known assailants and/or to gather information
from the crime scene and/or gather evidence for future judicial
uses (e.g., evidence for criminal prosecution).
[0050] The captured data, processed as described above, may be
routed to field-deployed law enforcement officer interface
equipment. A vehicular laptop computer, for example, may include
911 emergency application software used by law enforcement officers
to acknowledge receipt of a 911 emergency call. Typically, an
"alarm" sounds to obtain an officer's attention, upon
acknowledgement the equipment displays information to identify the
location of the victim, a map based on location intelligence, and
the assailant photo/voice from the vicinity of the victim, and in
real-time or subsequently may provide the results of the
aforementioned existing criminal photo database morphology match
with related assailant background information.
[0051] Officers not in the vicinity of the vehicular laptop
computer's alarm mechanism may have the vehicular equipment
integrated with non-vehicular wireless devices also potentially
possessing assailant display capability or otherwise affect
notification of the non-vehicular law enforcement officer.
Originating the photo may also trigger a 911 emergency voice
connection for the 911 dispatch center/operator to continue to
gather audio information from the scene until disconnected by the
911 dispatch center/operator. Data encapsulated elements (e.g.,
digitized assailant photo/voice and geo-location coordinates) are
intrinsic in the 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication
network. The 911 dispatch is provided with an improved ability for
assailant identification (or visual crime scene information) and
location.
[0052] Wireless subscribers are provided value-added personal
security by the 911 emergency voice/data telecommunication network.
Law enforcement may be able to better identify and locate suspects
and collect additional crime scene evidence, as well as benefiting
from more efficient dispatching and apprehension of suspects. The
911 emergency call origination service option ensures obtaining the
resources with high priority as is required for 911 emergency calls
when the origination message arrives at the BS, as well as minimal
overhead, and minimal messaging from call processing. Origination
message receipt via other technologies (e.g., WiFi/Max, Bluetooth,
infra-red, etc.) may also be provided. The MS/PDA devices, etc. may
integrate utilizing other technologies (e.g., WiFi/Max, Bluetooth,
infra-red, etc.) to affect 911 system interface, via cable, DSL, or
through any such intervening consumer computing and
telecommunications technologies, including landline telephone
telecommunications infrastructure to enhance the ESN with
data/voice transmissions in a 911 emergency call.
[0053] While the invention is described herein in conjunction with
exemplary embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention in the
preceding description are intended to be illustrative, rather than
limiting, of the spirit and scope of the invention. More
specifically, it is intended that the invention embrace all
alternatives, modifications, and variations of the exemplary
embodiments described herein that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. For example, the
foregoing may be implemented in conjunction with enhanced 911
(E911) networks and equipment as well as regular 911 networks and
equipment.
* * * * *